Real-life romance can never be as good as it looks on-screen. Or can it? We've picked 10 of our favorite films d'amour as a guide to how and where you can turn your own relationship into something worthy of an Academy Award.

To Catch a Thief

By Judy McGuireSaturday, Feb. 28, 2009

Everett

French Riviera

Alfred Hitchcock isn't usually the first auteur to come to mind in a discussion about romantic film. After all, this is the guy who gave us Psycho and whose "issues" with women are well documented. But, then, there's To Catch a Thief, which masterfully blends romance, humor and suspense  and pairs Cary Grant with Grace Kelly, in her last role before she left moviemaking to become the Princess of Monaco.

The hotel scenes were filmed at the Hotel Carlton in Cannes, which is now part of the InterContinental hotel group. Dress up in your finest vintage duds and sip martinis overlooking the sea. Then, pretend you're shopping for an engagement ring and case the jewelry stores along Cannes's main drag, Boulevard de la Croisette. When all the intrigue tires you out, settle in for a delicious meal of bouillabaisse and fine wine at Tetou as you plan your next caper.